26 April 2027 · Latin Rite
Open in the Daily Word appAlso: Syro-Malabar Rite · Syro-Malankara Rite · മലയാളം
“Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”” John 14:23
Paul and Barnabas are on their first missionary journey, in the hill country of Lycaonia in the middle of what is now Turkey. Threatened in Iconium, they move on to Lystra, and there they meet a man “who could not use his feet and had never walked, for he had been crippled from birth.” He listens to Paul preaching, and Paul, “looking at him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed,” calls out: “Stand upright on your feet.” The man springs up and walks. Then something unexpected happens. The crowd shouts in their own language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” They call Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes, “because he was the chief speaker,” and the priest of Zeus arrives with oxen and garlands to offer sacrifice. The people of that region told an old story of Zeus and Hermes once visiting in disguise and going unrecognised; perhaps they did not want to make that mistake again. The apostles tear their clothes and rush into the crowd: “Friends, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.” Paul's first sermon to pure pagans does not begin with the Law of Moses but with creation: God “has not left himself without a witness in doing good,” for he gives “rains from heaven and fruitful seasons,” filling people “with food and your hearts with joy.” The Psalm gives the apostles' answer in one line: “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory.”
In the Gospel we are back at the Last Supper. Jesus has promised to show himself to those who love him, and Judas, “not Iscariot,” asks a fair question: “Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus does not answer with a spectacle. He answers with a dwelling: “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” The people of Lystra wanted gods who would come down for a visit and be honoured with oxen. The true God does far more: the Father and the Son come to stay, in the heart of the one who loves and obeys. And they do not leave us to remember everything by our own strength: “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.” St Augustine, looking back on the years he searched for God outside himself, wrote (in substance): you were within me, and I was outside, looking for you there. In these last weeks before Pentecost the Church asks us to look within, where the Holy Trinity has made a home.
Theme: “We will come to them and make our home with them.”
Apostles who refuse worship, a Creator who never leaves himself without witness, and a God who comes to stay.
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1
“Friends, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.” Acts 14:15
Apply: This week, whenever you succeed or are praised, say aloud or in your heart: not to us, Lord, but to your name.
“The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1
“Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made.” Romans 1:20
Apply: Before each meal this week, name one gift of creation on your plate and thank the Creator for it.
“My dwelling place shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Ezekiel 37:27
“Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”” John 14:23
Apply: Each night until Pentecost, end the day with a minute of silence before the God who lives in you, and pray: Come, Holy Spirit.
The apostles at Lystra refused to be gods so that people might find the true God.
That God does not visit and leave: with the Father and the Spirit, the risen Jesus makes his home in those who love him.
Take-home resolution: Pray “Come, Holy Spirit” each evening from now until Pentecost.
Dear friends, at Lystra a man crippled from birth listens to Paul, and Paul sees that he has faith to be healed. Stand upright on your feet! The man springs up and walks (Acts 14:10). And the crowd goes wild: the gods have come down to us in human form! They bring oxen and garlands to worship Paul and Barnabas.
This was a great temptation. Who would not enjoy being treated as a god? But the apostles tear their clothes and run into the crowd: we are mortals just like you (Acts 14:15). They point away from themselves to the living God, who sends rain from heaven and fruitful seasons and fills hearts with joy. The best witness is a finger that points beyond itself.
In the Gospel Jesus tells us what the true God really does. Not a short visit to be honoured with sacrifices, but a dwelling: those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them (John 14:23). The Father and the Son make their home in an ordinary heart that loves and obeys.
And we are not left alone to remember everything. The Holy Spirit, the Advocate, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said (John 14:26). In these days of Easter, as Pentecost comes near, let us give every glory back to God, and keep a quiet room in our hearts for the Guest who has come to stay. Amen.
Children, Paul healed a man who had never walked, and the people thought Paul was a god! But Paul said: no, I am just a person like you. Thank God! Jesus says something wonderful: if you love me, my Father and I will come and live in your heart. So your heart can be God's little house. Keep it clean and happy for him!
Living God, maker of heaven and earth and sea, you have never left yourself without a witness: you send the rain, you ripen the harvest, you fill our hearts with joy. Not to us, Lord, but to your name be the glory. Lord Jesus, risen from the dead, come with the Father and make your home in us; and send us the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, to teach us everything and remind us of all you have said. Amen.